“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave” ~ Elmer Davis, News Reporter, Peabody Award Recipient, and Director of the United States Office of War Information during World War II.
Today is Veterans Day – a federal holiday in the United States annually observed on November 11 for the purposes of honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Veterans Day coincides with commemorated holidays in other countries, such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which all mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.
Major hostilities of the first World War were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.
At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, the observance was renamed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954.
Contrary to popular belief, it is distinct from Memorial Day, which is held in May and specifically honors those who died while in military service.
Today, the Annual Washington County Veterans Day Celebration is set to be held at 10:30 a.m. on the Sandersville Courthouse Square.
Serving as guest speaker will be Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Johnny Webb of the United States Navy/Navy Reserve.
Webb has totaled over 30 years of service to our country.
He currently holds a position on the Board of Directors of the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry.
Master Chief Petty Officer Webb is a Certified Fair Executive and formerly served as President of the Georgia Association of Agricultural Fairs, General Manager of the Georgia Fairs Association, and President of the Georgia Exchange Club.
He hold a bachelor’s degree from Abraham Baldwin College in Tifton and a master’s degree from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville.
Webb is a native of Nashville, Georgia – relocating to Sandersville in 2018.
The Annual Washington County Veterans Day Celebration is sponsored by the American Legion Post 94 and the American Veterans Post 110.
In a show of support and thanks to our veterans and their families, Washington EMC is offering a free lunch to any veteran and their immediate family today from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Peach State BBQ Food Truck will be in the Washington EMC parking lot at 258 North Harris Street in Sandersville providing plates of BBQ sandwiches, potato salad, and green beans.
On this Veterans Day – and every day – WACO 100 thanks and appreciates all veterans for their service and contributions to our great United States of America.